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As always, a great article! I love the amount of insight you provide into the little things that make Disney so magical!

I was also really excited to hear about the working scale model of the handcar to be offered by Carolwood Pacific. I have the commemorative edition Lilly Belle that they partnered with Disney on some years back, and think the handcar would make a handsome addition to my modest display of railroad models.

Any news on when (or how) this sort of thing might be announced? I would have to miss out on it by accident.

I worked at Walt Disney World as a member of the Disney College Program in Spring 2008 and Summer 2010. Now, I build software, design live events, and frequently make the short trek from Costa Mesa to Disneyland with my Annual Passport in hand.

Toemblem, a Mark Twain article is definitely in the works--we should see it later this year. There is a lot of interesting lore and history associated with that particular watercraft that needs to be researched.

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Awesome, I can't wait. In early February I am flying to the bay area for business but I am making a side trip to take a ride on a privately owned steam boat. It is an African Queen style boat and I guess it burns wood to make steam. When I go, I will take a bunch of notes and pictures and post a TR when I get back.

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The boxes and crates that were at either side of the hand car housed the electronics for those fiber optics.

Then, it makes sense that the handcar is currently not there, if that space was used during floram mickey retrofits.

Great article, Steve, as always. Keep up the excellent work! If you ever get the inlking to do an article on the history of the horse-drawn streetcars, I'd be most interested!

Also, this might sound silly. But I'm trying to remember all the places that the lockers rooms have been. They've been at the current location for at least 15 years or so, but I remember when they were to the left of the Emporium entrance. I also vaguely recall them being on the Opera House side of the street when I was a kid, but I could be huge mistaken.

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The handcar is a beauty! I didn't even realize there was one at the park. Would love to see a handcar race. Perhaps the cars would be more popular if they live fed the handcar races to monitors in the park, and computers. While riding the train, where would i look to catch a glimpse of one?